23 Oct 2013

Serena Williams wins first up in Istanbul

10:36 am on 23 October 2013

World number one Serena Williams has started the defence of her WTA Championships title with a straight sets win over Angelique Kerber on the opening day in Istanbul.

The 32-year-old American broke early in each set and was too strong for the German, hitting 31 winners.

Kerber qualified for the eight-strong tournament only because Maria Sharapova pulled out.

In the other match in the same group Petra Kbitova beat Agnieszka Radwanska, while in the other group second seed Victoria Azarenka beat Sara Errani.